ABSORPTION. 123 



pleasant effects, and in our new settlements, swine are 

 said to devour rattlesnakes, and with a high relish too for 

 the choice morsel. But absorption not only takes up 

 foreign substances, but is in incessant action in every 

 part of the system, removing particles of matter that are 

 no longer fit for the purposes of the vital economy, and 

 whose places are supplied by fresh materials, as well as 

 others that have accumulated in particular parts, as a 

 consequence of injury or disease. Thus the mucous and 

 serous secretions are constantly absorbed just as fast as 

 they are secreted. If this were not so, they would ac- 

 cumulate and become a source of disease. In bruises 

 and swellings where blood or the serous portion of it is 

 eftused, no cure can take place until these fluids are re- 

 moved, and absorption is the agent by which this is ef- 

 fected. 



Emily. I have often wondered what becomes of the 

 blood which is poured out when a bone is broken or a 

 severe bruise received, for I never observed that in such 

 cases, the physician used any means to take it away. 



Dr. B. It is because he is acquainted with this pow- 

 er of the animal economy^ and knows that it is better to 

 forbear offering his assistance. You may set this down 

 as a general law of the animal economy, that when the 

 good condition of the system no longer requires the 

 presence of any part, it is removed forthwith by the pow- 

 ers of absorption ; provided that the constitution enjoys 

 at the time a sufficient degree of health to accomplish 

 this process. 



Emily. I believe you have not yet mentioned the 

 organs by which this function is performed, and I have 

 just thought of asking the question. 



Dr. B. This has lately been made a subject of con- 

 siderable discussion, and, opinions are not yet settled 

 concerning it. According to the old theory, the func- 

 tion of absorption is performed by a set of vessels very 

 similar to that by which the chyle is absorbed from the 

 alimentary canal. The lymphatic vessels, as they are 



